42-Story Crystal Point Wins Community of the Year Award

Most high-rise developments often have one thing in common: long, uninspiring hallways. But a new 42-story condominium project, Crystal Point, tries to change things up a little. The building is planned in such a way that its corridors are cut in half with elevators positioned in the middle of the residential floors. This provides the building with a very intimate feel, which is what the architects intended.

Jersey City, N.J.–Most high-rise developments often have one thing in common: long, uninspiring hallways. But a new 42-story condominium project, Crystal Point, tries to change things up a little. The building is planned in such a way that its corridors are cut in half with elevators positioned in the middle of the residential floors. This provides the building with a very intimate feel, which is what the architects intended.

A Fisher Development Associates project, Crystal Point, located on Jersey City’s Hudson River waterfront, was designed by architectural firm Gruzen Samton LLP.

Jordan Gruzen (FAIA) of Gruzen Samton, says, “We utilized multiple façade planes to break the building‘s mass up and ensure that every home had magnificent views. Each unit was designed so from the moment the front door of each home is opened one is aware of the views and the light emanating from the water.” Crystal Point features a crystalline-style glass exterior designed to maximize the building’s waterfront setting.

The 269-unit building recently won the Gold Award for “Community of the Year” during the 2010 National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) annual International Builders’ Show, presented by the National Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC). Crystal Point overcame unfavorable market conditions to win this award, with 25 percent of the entries this year being from Canada, where the economy is slightly better. Many other projects were located out west, where sprawling, volume spaced homes can be introduced at much lower prices based on development costs than what developers are confronted with in the New York Metro area.

While the project has been received well, the disadvantage of opening a project in this economy is “that people are very careful about spending money and are looking for the best value. As a result, sales are slower,” Brian Fisher, president of Fisher Development Associates, tells MHN. “Even so, we expect all the units to be sold in the next 12 months.”

Crystal Point features one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 800 to 1,817 square-feet and are priced from $500,000 to over a $1 million for the penthouses. The project also has a 30-year tax abatement that has been granted to the building.

Features will include kitchens with Italian Pedini wood and glass cabinetry, sparkling quartzite counters, under-cabinet task lighting, full height pantries, islands with breakfast bars and a full Jenn-Air appliance suite.

The amenities center includes the Crystal Spa with a thermal bath, sauna, steam and treatment rooms, a yoga/aerobics room, fitness center, lounge with flat screen televisions, game room with billiard and poker tables, children’s play room and a screening room within the Crystal Club.